The Allan Gray Orbis Foundation Namibia (AGOFN) held its annual welcome event recently for its 2026 fellowship recipients, highlighting the extensive support offered to fellows throughout their academic journeys.
AGOFN forms part of the Allan and Gill Gray philanthropies, which operate across multiple countries worldwide and are committed to advancing equitable access to education, leadership development, and entrepreneurship in Namibia.
This year, the foundation awarded 21 fellowships to exceptional young Namibian students in their first to fourth years and pursuing their studies in South Africa, an increase from last year’s 18 fellows.While the fellowship is open to students from Namibia, Eswatini, and Botswana, it is specifically awarded to those enrolled at South African universities.
The programme provides full financial support alongside structured leadership and entrepreneurship development aimed at cultivating future business leaders. The 2026 selection cycle attracted 394 applicants from all 14 regions of Namibia, reflecting the foundation’s growing national reach and impact.
Regional head of AGOFN, Gavin Frey, emphasised the importance of the fellowship, by saying that, “By awarding 21 fully comprehensive fellowships and reaching learners in every region of Namibia, we are directly supporting national development priorities through skills development, youth empowerment pathways, and inclusive participation in the mainstream economy.”
Elao-Letu Hamukonda, an AGOFN fellow and final-year student at the University of Cape Town, described her journey with the foundation as overwhelmingly positive due to the comprehensive support systems in place.
“The foundation offers us extensive support, including travel and textbook allowances, tuition and residence fees, as well as access to programme officers and entrepreneurship leaders who guide and advise us while we study in South Africa. It is reassuring to have such strong support during our stay,” she said.
At the high school level, AGOFN also runs the Allan Gray Entrepreneurship Challenge, which promotes entrepreneurship from an early age.
Through school engagements and digital platforms, the challenge equips learners with practical entrepreneurial and problem-solving skills.
-hnalupe@nepc.com.na
